Delicious Death

My dear James
You have always been one of the most faithful and kindly of my readers, and I was therefore seriously perturbed when I received from you a word of criticism.
You complained that my murders were getting too refined - anaemic, in fact. You yearned for a 'good violent murder with lots of blood'. A murder where there was no doubt about its being murder!
So this is your special story - written for you. I hope it may please.

Your affectionate sister-in-law Agatha

UK

Collins, London, Dec. 1938

Daily Express, Nov.14-Dec.10 1938 as 'Murder at Christmas'

US

Dodd Mead, New York, Feb. 1938 as "Murder for Christmas"

Collier's Weekly, Nov.12 1938 - Jan.14 1939 as 'Murder For Christmas'

a.k.a. "A Holiday for Murder"

Plot

It is Christmas Eve. The Lee family reunion is shattered by a deafening crash of furniture, followed by a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs, the tyrannical Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed.
But when Hercule Poirot, who is staying in the village with a friend for Christmas, offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old man...

Contents

December 22nd
December 23rd
December 24th
December 25th
December 26th
December 27th
December 28th